Veteran Awarded Degree
From front to back (friends from Timothy's church hold the Bachelor's degree awarded to Timothy Patterson who is standing in the back next to his mom, Dr. Annie Patterson.
Timothy Mark Patterson, the second of 3 children, of Frank and Dr. Annie Patterson arrived in 1958 on New Year’s Eve. Tim attended Hayes and Evenston Glenn Grade School and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 503 and rose to the rank of Tenderfoot. Timothy went on to attend Western Hills High School where he graduated in May 1977.
While in high school Tim was known as a talented singer and lead the Gospel Choir. The six-member African American Gospel Choir performed for the very first Black History Program in 1975 at Western Hills High School. Tim went on to attend The Ohio State University Pre-College Social development program and was awarded “the most improved student”!! Due to unforeseen financial problems Tim had to withdraw from Ohio State, return to Cincinnati and began work at the John Sillito Company. It was during this time that Tim contemplated serving in the United’s States Armed Forces.
On February 22, 1981 Timothy Patterson enlisted in the US Navy. Timothy proudly served from 1981-1987 and spent time on the USS Semmes DDG-18 docked out of Charleston, South Carolina. The motto of the USS Semmes, “Dare to Excel” would continue to be a characteristic Tim has embodied to accomplish his goals.
Tim was honorably discharged under Chapter 31, a program for disabled Veterans, which allowed Tim to return to the university setting to learn a new profession and building upon his many military skills. Timothy began his academic career at Cincinnati State majoring in early childhood education earning a 3.6 grade point average. He then decided to undertake a degree in Criminology at Mt. St Joseph’s University. He attended the “Mount” as it is lovingly known from 2003-2009 but never completed his degree…or so it was thought.
Cincinnati VA Medical Center primary care provider, Sara Krzywkowski-Mohn, Ed.D. FNP, herself a Veteran of the US Army reached out to the Mount’s registrar office. After some detective work, Mt. St. Joseph’s University found that Tim’s dream to complete a Bachelor’s degree was a reality. Tim did have enough credits to be awarded his prestigious Bachelor’s degree due to his hard work and perseverance.
Leadership from Mt St Joseph’s University who were able to make this dream a reality include:
- Dr. H. James Williams, President
- Dr. Diana Davis, Provost
- Dr. Maggie Davis, Associate Provost for Academic Support
- Ms. Irene Richardson, Registrar
- Ms. Lynn Taber, Records and Registration Coordinator
Timothy was presented his Bachelor’s degree by Dr. H. James Williams, Mt. St. Joseph’s University President at a graduation service held in the Chapel at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center at the beginning of October. Following the graduation, a reception was held in Timothy’s honor.
Timothy asked that his only son also be honored who is gone but not forgotten after a tragic shooting. Timothy has suffered cancer of the throat and heart failure and has been an inpatient at the Veterans Administration Medical Center 14 times in the past 2 years. Despite his setbacks both academically and personally, Timothy has remained positive, inspiring and exhibits a true testament of the resilience of the human spirit.
